War of 1812 Bicentennial

Upper Canada.

Head-Quarters, Kingston, 8th June, 5 o'clock, p.m.

His Excellency the Commander of the forces has just received an Express, announcing that a strong division of the American army had advanced to the Forty-Mile Creek, with the intention of attacking the position occupied by Brigadier General Vincent at the Head of Burlington Bay.

The enemy's plan was however anticipated by the gallant General, and completely defeated at day break on the 6th inst. on the American army, which was completely defeated and dispersed.—Twelve Officers, two of whom are Generals, and five pieces of canon were taken—and the fugitives were pursued in every direction by a numerous body of Indians under the chief Norton. The enemy's force is stated at 200 cavalry and 4000 infantry, besides a strong force in boats.

This intelligence was communicated off York at 2, P. M. to Commodore Sir James Yeo, who had sailed with the fleet on the 3d inst to co-operate with General Vincent—and immediately proceeded with reinforcements on board to support the General's further attack upon the enemy—Further reinforcements under Major Deharen, proceeded this day from Kingston to join General Vincent. The British loss has been very slight—The official dispatch is hourly expected.

E. B. A. C.

The following particulars of the action to which the above General Order refers, may be relied on, as we have received them from an authentic source—

"General Vincent finding that the enemy was in his neighborhood, amounting to 4200 men, collected the 8th and 49th in the evening of the 5th of June, and surprised him on the morning of the 6th, before day-break,—our number, in the whole, did not exceed 500 men. The night was extremely dark, and great carnage ensued from the charge of the bayonet, which we made upon them. Our loss does not exceed 150 killed, wounded and missing. The American Generals Chandler and Winder are taken, all their field-pieces, seven in number, were taken, but for want of horses, five only were brought off. Our officers killed are—lieut. Hooker, of the 8th, and ensign Drury, of the 49th,—Wounded,

"Sir James Yeo received intelligence off the harbor of York, at 2 o'clock, p. m. on the 6th inst. of Genl. Vincent's victory, and immediately bore away with the fleet to cut off the retreat of the American boats employed on the expedition—Sir James layd to, and remained off Sackett's Harbor, on the 2d June, several hours, awaiting Commander Chauncey, who, however, thought proper to continue in port; thus acknowledging our superiority on the lake."